Can Procreate Be Used for Graphic Design? Pros and Cons Explained

Many digital artists and designers have stumbled upon the world of Procreate, a widely popular digital illustration app. But can Procreate be used for graphic design? In this in-depth exploration, we’ll share the pros and cons of using Procreate for graphic design work, helping you determine whether it’s the right tool for your needs.

Table of Contents

Introduction to Procreate

Procreate is a powerful, user-friendly digital illustration app available exclusively for iPad and iPhone. Launched in 2011, it quickly gained popularity among artists, illustrators, and designers for its impressive functionality, vast library of brushes, and efficient performance. While it’s primarily known as a digital painting and drawing app, many professionals wonder if it can also be used effectively for graphic design projects.

Pros of Using Procreate for Graphic Design

Ease of use and intuitive interface

Procreate’s interface is designed to be accessible and user-friendly, even for beginners. This ease of use can potentially save time and enable smooth navigation while working on graphic design tasks. The menu system is minimal, allowing for efficient workspace organization.

Wide range of brushes and customizable tools

Procreate offers a vast library of brushes and customizable tools that can be tailored to your specific needs. This could be a major advantage for graphic designers who require unique brushes and tools for different project types.

Portability and convenience

As an app designed for iPads and iPhones, Procreate can be used anywhere, making it a great solution for designers on the go. This portability can be an excellent advantage for those who need to quickly create artwork or make edits during meetings or while away from their computer.

High-resolution canvases

Procreate supports high-resolution canvases, allowing users to create artwork at print quality resolution. For graphic designers, this is essential when working on projects for print outputs.

Layer support and blending modes

Layer functionality is a basic requirement for most graphic design tasks, and Procreate delivers in this area. With support for multiple layers and blending modes, the app provides a robust foundation for graphic design work.

Cons of Using Procreate for Graphic Design

Limited typography capabilities

One of the major drawbacks of using Procreate for graphic design is its limited typography capabilities. While you can add text to your designs, Procreate’s text features are basic compared to other design software like Adobe Illustrator or Adobe Photoshop. This could limit the application’s effectiveness in creating text-heavy designs or layouts.

Lack of vector capabilities

Procreate is a raster-based application, meaning that it works with pixels rather than vector paths. This is a disadvantage for graphic designers whorequire vector-based designs for scalability and versatile use across various mediums. Without the ability to create and edit vector files, professionals might have to rely on additional software for specific design tasks.

Exclusivity to iOS devices

Procreate is exclusively available for iPads and iPhones, which can be limiting for graphic designers who prefer working on desktop computers or Android devices. This exclusivity may hinder collaboration with other professionals and clients who use different platforms.

No built-in project management

Unlike some professional graphic design software, Procreate lacks built-in project management and collaboration tools. This limitation might make it less attractive to graphic designers working with teams or juggling between multiple clients and projects.

Limited exporting options

Procreate falls short in terms of exporting options compared to more comprehensive graphic design software. While users can export files in popular formats like JPEG, PNG, and PSD, there aren’t as many options for fine-tuning the export parameters. This could be limiting when working with clients who have specific file requirements.

Conclusion

Procreate can be used for graphic design work to a certain extent, offering an intuitive interface, vast library of brushes, and layer support. Its ease of use, portability, and convenience do make it a valuable tool for certain creative tasks. However, it’s essential to recognize the limitations of using Procreate for graphic design, such as limited typography features, lack of vector support, exclusivity to iOS devices, absence of project management features, and limited exporting options. Ultimately, it’s important to assess if Procreate meets your specific needs and requirements as a graphic designer. In many cases, it may be beneficial to supplement Procreate with other design software to tackle projects more effectively.

FAQs

1. Is Procreate good for logo design?

While Procreate can be used for creating logo concepts and sketches, it’s not ideal for the final design as it’s a raster-based app, and logos typically require vector-based formats for scalability. Adobe Illustrator or other vector-based software is recommended for logo design.

2. Can Procreate replace Adobe Photoshop for graphic design?

Procreate has many similarities with Photoshop but has notable differences in features, functionality, and capabilities. While it can be used as a supplementary tool, it’s unlikely to fully replace Photoshop for professional graphic design applications.

3. Can I use Procreate with a graphics tablet?

Procreate is designed specifically for iPad and iPhone devices, and it requires an Apple Pencil or a compatible stylus for input. However, it cannot be used with traditional graphics tablets that connect to computers.

4. What are other alternatives for graphic design?

Some popular alternatives for graphic design include Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, CorelDRAW, Affinity Designer, and Inkscape. The choice depends on your specific requirements, budget, and platform preferences.

5. Is Procreate a one-time purchase or a subscription service?

Procreate is available as a one-time purchase with no recurring subscription fees. Once you’ve purchased and downloaded the app on your iOS device, you have access to all its featuresand tools, as well as future updates, without any additional costs. This is a significant advantage for those who prefer a cost-effective solution without ongoing expenses.

Additional Resources

If you’re considering exploring more about Procreate and how it can be used for graphic design work, check out these resources:

Procreate User Guide: A comprehensive guide provided by the developers of Procreate, covering all aspects of the application, including gestures, tools, and basic workflows. Available at the official Procreate website.
Procreate Tutorials: Several YouTube channels and websites offer tutorials on using Procreate for various tasks and techniques, which can help both beginners and advanced users improve their skills.
Procreate Community: Online forums and social media groups are a great way to connect with fellow Procreate users, where you can ask questions, share tips, and showcase your work.

In Summary

Can Procreate be used for graphic design? The answer is yes, to a certain degree. However, it’s essential to be aware of the app’s limitations, such as limited typography and vector capabilities, iOS exclusivity, and exporting constraints. Procreate is better suited for specific tasks and can complement more comprehensive graphic design software for creating unique and eye-catching designs.

By assessing your individual needs and project requirements, you can make a well-informed decision on whether to use Procreate for your graphic design projects, either as a primary tool or a supplementary application. Remember, the key to successful design work is finding the best combination of tools and software to suit your unique artistic vision and workflow.